For many migrant workers, earning a steady income is only part of the challenge. Learning how to manage it wisely and protect it from fraud took centre stage at a financial literacy programme attended by 196 Qatar Foundation (QF) workers on June 27.
Held at QF’s Multaqa Student Centre, the two-hour session focused on practical budgeting, responsible financial behaviour, consistent saving, and scam awareness. The programme was jointly organised by the Workers Support and Insurance Fund, QF, Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI), with facilitation from BMKQ, OFIE-M, and PinoyWISE Qatar.
Participants from nine Asian and African nationalities, representing maintenance, hospitality, welfare, security, and healthcare services, attended the training.
BWI representative Bimal Subaide opened the programme with a safety induction, followed by welcoming remarks from QF Workers Welfare’s John Fabia, who highlighted QF’s commitment to workers' welfare through continuous awareness campaigns, skills development, and capacity-building initiatives.
The first module, delivered by Engr Ressie Fos, examined the financial realities faced by migrant workers and emphasised disciplined spending over the pursuit of higher income.
Fos said consistent savings are more achievable through careful budgeting and deliberate control of daily expenses than by relying on uncertain opportunities to earn more. He encouraged participants to view personal budgeting as a practical tool for building long-term financial stability regardless of income level.
The second session, led by Aris Riparip, focused on safe financial practices and fraud prevention. Drawing on real-life scam cases shared by participants, he demonstrated how fraudsters manipulate trust through a role-play of a scam phone call and explained why migrant workers are often targeted.
Riparip noted that workers who begin saving regularly often become more interested in investment opportunities, making them vulnerable to schemes promising quick returns. He warned that a single fraudulent transaction could erase months or even years of hard-earned savings, stressing the importance of recognising common scam tactics before investing.
The programme was hosted by May Shael Laguindab, who guided participants through the discussions and encouraged them to share experiences and ask questions throughout the interactive session.
Organisers reported strong participant engagement, with post-training evaluations indicating positive feedback on the relevance and practicality of the topics. Many workers also expressed interest in future sessions covering digital safety, labour rights, mental health, first aid, and heat stress awareness. (Source: https://bmkq.me)